Syria gets a new autocrat as Sharaa styles himself ‘president’
If the economy tanks, it’s likely Sharaa will return to his Islamic roots and produce a state similar to ISIS
Saddam Hussein
The role of Iraqi Shia militias as proxies in Iran’s Axis of Resistance
Iran’s 45-year trajectory from the Khomeini revolution to its current challenge to Israel, the West, and the Rules-Based International System (RBIS) led to developing and solidifying its “Axis...
Op-eds
Iran-Backed Militias Face Crisis After Assad’s Fall in Syria
Four years ago, in January 2020, a US drone carried out a strike in Iraq near Baghdad International Airport, killing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force leader Qasem...
Op-eds
What do the Houthis hope to achieve as they lash out on Israel?
The Houthis are lashing out. They are willing to confront the US, Israel, and perhaps Saudi Arabia and other states.
Op-eds
Why are the Houthis attacking Israel – and can they be deterred?
The Houthis may think they can get away with anything without paying a price. The question is, what price is enough to make them stop?
Op-eds
Is Syria’s Julani part of a rising generation of younger Middle East leaders?
If Julani is to remain in power for the coming years, he could play a transformative role in Syria and the Middle East.
Op-eds
Assad’s Enemies Are Not Our Friends
The United States shouldn’t make allies out of terrorists.
Op-eds
Gulf countries talk like Iran, act like Israel
The GCC rhetoric on Israel masks its true aims to decouple Syria's Assad and the Islamic Republic and declaw Hezbollah in Lebanon
Op-eds
Destroyed by ISIS, a historic minaret in Mosul rises again
The repairs to this site which is in the old city of Mosul on the western bank of the Tigris river that runs through the city, is an important accomplishment.
Op-eds
“Natural Allies”: Israel to Cultivate Kurdish, Druze Ties
Latest Developments Outreach to Arabs, Minorities by New Foreign Minister: Gideon Sa’ar, Israel’s new foreign minister, gave remarks on November 10 in which he spoke in favor of expanded...
Flash Briefs
Why did Israel’s new foreign minister embrace the Kurdish people?
Israel has long enjoyed positive relations with Kurdish people in the Middle East. It is part of a partnership between Jews and Kurds and also shared interests in the region
Op-eds
The key takeaways from Israel’s strikes on Iran
Iran now feels it can launch ballistic missiles at Israel whenever it wants.
Op-eds
Kurdistan regional elections mark a step forward for Iraq’s stability
Elections in the Kurdistan region are important because they provide a beacon of democracy for the region.
Op-eds
Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman in Cairo to discuss Gaza, Lebanon, Red Sea
Historically, Saudi Arabia and Egypt were the two pillars of stability for the region, and both are friends of the United States.
Op-eds
Hezbollah c’est moi: The Party of God without Hassan Nasrallah
On September 27, the unimaginable happened. At approximately 5:22 p.m. local time, reports emerged of a massive Israeli strike on the predominantly Shia southern suburbs of Beirut, known colloquially as...
Op-eds
Hezbollah chief Nasrallah’s fatal underestimation of Israel
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has miscalculated, and in the process dragged Lebanon into a bloodbath that the already impoverished, isolated, and desperate Lebanese can ill afford. The world is trying...
Op-eds
Can Iraqi militias be deterred from attacking Israel?
It is clear that the Iraqi militias are expanding their war against Israel and are increasingly a danger.
Op-eds
Israel sends beepers into the battle with Hezbollah
While Biden sounds another retreat
Op-eds
Hezbollah’s worst nightmare: Chaos in its ranks
Hezbollah, a highly trained and disciplined terrorist group, is now facing chaos and vulnerability after a large number of its members were injured by exploding communication devices.
Op-eds
Twenty-three years into the long war
The threat matrix keeps expanding